Partner wants a 'sports car'. Please recommend her one....

The delightful Ms S has expressed a desire to chop her Punto in for a sporty car whilst we're both still continent enough to enjoy it.
And who am I to argue?

Doesn't have to be a convertible, doesn't have to only have two seats, but both an advantage in Ms S's eyes.

Has to be capable of long journeys in reasonable comfort, with enough luggage space for a weekend away.
Ability to mount a bike rack an advantage, but we've got a Doblo for that
really.
Budget will be well under £10,000, probably about half that unless she sees something she really, really likes, in which case all bets are off.

We both like MX5's and S2000's.
Neither of us are THAT keen on BMW Z3's, so they're probably out.

It'll have to do big miles and be kept for years, so million mile Boxters might not be the best suggestion as we don't want to spend a fortune on servicing & don't want it to get keyed whenever we park it up.

MX5, FTW. Probably the best little sports car on the market, reliable, long production time, so plenty of spares, a practical everyday car. And good looking, too. There's a lovely black one on the forecourt of the car dealership next to where I work, and I must admit that I could easily be tempted if the money suddenly became available...

I'm currently looking at last model Toyota MR2 roadsters, have test driven a couple and they seem really nice. Not scary quick but great handling, very good mpg for a sports car (38 combined). Toyota reliability, but not much of a load carrier. Actually a decent size load area behind the seats and a cubby hole up front, but not one for trips to IKEA or carrying bikes. Between three and five grand and you take your pick.

Boxster - 40 to 60k miles (thats not a million miles) for up to 10k, but look out for RMS issues

S2000 could be a bargain, but are a little snappy in the wet

If Z3 is out is a Z4?

Fiat Barchetta for something a little different

350z and TT as others have said

Elise - cheap as chips to run a K-series car, but she might not find it comfortable, don't be put of by reliability I've done 100k in a K-series with no real issues. I camped for a week in mine, but you have to get creative with packing.

The S2000 is a marvellous car - a real driver's car. I really miss our's despite it being terribly uncomfortable as a passenger (stiff suspension), noisy (couldn't hear the stereo over the engine), and it had a tiny boot (enough for one overnight bag). Pre 2005 models don't have traction control either (not many of them on the market for this reason!).

Mrs v10 has just had a Mk2.5 SVT and its a great laugh, was very cheap to buy, surprisingly cheap to insure too (£7 a month more than her 1.6 megane...) and much more involving to drive than the mk3s we tried. With your budget and mileage constraints your probably looking at mk3s though in which case there are some other alternatives. S2000 or a 3.0 Z4 would be where my money was going. For some serious fun you might be able to sneak into vx220 2.2s too if you stretch to 7-8k... Tidy rag top E46 M3 can be had for the same but probably one to avoid in terms of running costs

We have a 11 year old MX5 that we got to go on honeymoon. Not super fast but lots of fun, not much grip relative to say an Elise but superb balance (ie very controlled slides). Enough room for a 3 week trip for two. Drove it for work one year and it was fine - even in the snow it was extremely predictable (and 5 mph tail out slides are just hilarious).

Insurance under £200 fully comp and protected no claims.

Sum total of work other than tyres and servicing - well there was a it of excess wind noise from some of the roof / window trim so Mazda changed it - probably a tenner if I'd had to do it.

Mercedes SLK. You can pick up a brilliant 200 for £10k but my choice would be a 350. 350 is bloody quick, not too bad fuel consumption (28mpg combined(considering it's a 3.5L)), good handling, gorgeous looks, and best of all it's a Mercedes so it'll last longer than you will! If that doesn't float your boat then the 200 is brilliant. As a few of the other guys have said, S2000 is a good shout but be sure to take a look at Nissan as well.

We have a TT, the 2.0 turbo is plenty rapid but not an engaging drive and the doors are very long and heavy. PITA to get in and out of, noisy not very comfortable and a bit claustrophobic.
Just not fun. Boot is a reasonable size though and 35 mpg on the motorway.
Can't wait to get rid of it.

Kevin bought me a MX5 1.8IS as a supprise Christmas present in 1994, my suprise for him was that I was pregnant with Katie. When Abigale came along in 1998 I had to sell it, it broke my heart. Bought a MX6, then a 307cc and now have a 308cc, would go back to a MX5 once the girls have left the nest.

How about a VW EOS ticks most of the boxes, a bit sporty but comfortable to drive and good for long journeys. We are looking at changing ours due to impending grandchild (PM me if you want any details, am in Hyde, welcome to have a drive )
Mike